A pair of Polar Bears and their head coach honored by AVCA

By Bud Denega 

ADA — The American Volleyball Coaches Association released its All-Region Teams Thursday. A couple Ohio Northern players and their head coach were honored within the Great Lakes Region.

Senior middle hitter Chelsea Huppert (Bremen, Ind.) was awarded All-Region for the fourth consecutive year. Senior libero McKenna Hostetler (Plain City/Alder) and head coach Kate Witte were also recognized for their efforts during the 2019 season. 

Huppert's name is littered all over ONU's record board. She ranks third all-time in school history with a .338 hitting percentage, third all-time with 124 solo blocks, fifth all-time with 396 total blocks and sixth all-time with 1,356 kills.

Hostetler, a first-time All-Region recipient, has also worked her way into ONU's record books. She's fourth all-time with 2,085 career digs. 

Witte won Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year for the seventh time. She has compiled a 741-240 overall record in 29 years. She has guided the Polar Bears to 19 regular-season Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament titles and 21 conference tournament championships. 

Northern will compete in the NCAA Tournament first round Thursday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Polar Bears will take on Aurora (Ill.) at 5:30 p.m.